“So, it’s true,” said Cassie. “Derek did stash you here like a dirty little secret.”It took Rachel a moment to recover from her surprise and find her voice. “I beg your pardon?”Cassie pushed past her and entered the penthouse without waiting for an invitation. She was dressed in a figure-hugging red dress that stopped just below her small bum, her hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail and her lipstick and 4-inch heels sandals matched her outfit.Zoe came out of the kitchen and when she saw Cassie, she lifted her hand and waved hello.“Aw… what a cutie,” she said and waved back.“Honey, go back into the kitchen. Mommy will be right there, ok?” Said Rachel.Zoe obeyed her and returned to the kitchen.“You didn’t have to send her away,” Cassie complained with an exaggerated pout. “She’s a better hostess than you are being right now. Aren’t you going to offer me a seat? Or a drink at least.”“I don’t know what you came here for and I am not interested in knowing either,” said Rachel
Despite her insistence on going out alone, Frank refused to let her out of his sight and stubbornly insisted on driving her to her destination. Tired of arguing with the giant of a man, Rachel finally gave in and told him to take her to Derek’s office.They drove there in Derek’s white Bentley and when they arrived at his office building, Rachel told Frank to wait for her at the reception area.“Hi, I’m here to see Mr. Fraser,” Rachel informed the receptionist.“Hi, do you have an appointment with him?”“Come on, Cheryl. Don’t you recognize me?”Cheryl was surprised. “I – I don’t think so.”Rachel rolled her eyes. “I am Rachel Lane and the last time we met here was about two years ago when you wouldn’t let me in and I ended up running into Derek at the parking lot and then we came back inside together. Does that jog your memory?”“Oh, oh yes! I remember you now,” said Cheryl with wide eyes. “You look… different,” she added.“I hope in a good way?” Rachel grinned.“Of course. You look
“No, what’s the point? I know why she has been doing it and I’m not sure she’ll have anything new to share with Yasmin anymore.”“Today’s episode is definitely something worth sharing.”Derek chuckled. “Maybe.”“Have you thought about reaching out to Yasmin?”“What for?”“I don’t know, just for the sake of it. Alfred already confirmed everything she told us, so that means she wasn’t lying.”He sighed.“Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive her?” Rachel asked softly.Derek lifted an eyebrow. “For what?”“For abandoning you,” she replied.He sighed again and looked away. When the elevator reached the first floor and swung open, he took her hand in his and led her out of it. Cheryl was beaming like the sun when she saw them together and she waved at Rachel as they left.“I think Cheryl is my number one fan here,” she remarked as Frank and Mark escorted them to the parking lot.“Nope. She’s number two,” said Derek.“Who’s number one?” She asked.“Me,” he said with a grin and follo
Yasmin chuckled. “Rachel is a genius,” she said. “She’s the real deal, Derek. She’s a keeper.”“I still can’t believe that you’re here,” he said in wonder. “I feel as if I am dreaming.”“So do I,” she admitted. “Derek, I am so sorry for everything. I am sorry I didn’t give you a chance to get to know me but instead allowed your father to drive a wedge between us. I am not trying to paint your father as the bad guy because if I’m being honest, I also share in the blame. I am so sorry for abandoning you and letting you mourn my fake death while I lived my best life somewhere else.”“I didn’t have time to mourn you,” he confessed. “I was so angry at you and I drowned myself in work.”“I am so sorry,” she said again, crying openly. “I am so, so sorry, Derek. Can you ever forgive me?”Seeing his mother cry and express so much remorse broke something inside of him. It was as if she had smashed the block of ice that had held his heart in a death grip for years, into tiny pieces. Tears rolled
Derek went down on one knee in front of Rachel and opened the ring box. Inside it was a dazzling 24 karat gold ring with a large princess-cut white diamond in the middle and tiny crystals encircling the band. It was gloriously beautiful!“Rachel Lane, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Derek asked her with stars in his eyes. “Will you marry me?”“Yes!” She replied instantly without hesitation, sinking to her knees and hugging him fiercely. “Yes, yes, and yes!”The room erupted in a joyous cheer, applauding the touching scene.“That’s not how it’s done,” Derek laughed through his happy tears. “You’re supposed to stick out your hand and let me put the ring on your finger.”“Who cares about how it’s done? This is how we do it,” she replied happily. “Now put that ginormous ring where it belongs.”She stretched out her left hand and he slipped the ring on her finger, sending their guests into another round of celebration.“I wish Zoe was here to witness this,” he said.“Bedtime
Just as Derek had predicted, Alfred was beyond ecstatic when they informed him of Rachel’s wish to be married at Rickman Manor.“What an honor!” He exclaimed happily. “What joy!”“Stop being so dramatic, Uncle Alfred. It’s just a wedding,” said Derek.“Uh-huh, Derek. It’s not a wedding, it’s the wedding,” said Taylor and he got a high five from Rob who yelled, “Dang right, it is!”Everyone laughed. They were sitting at a long dining table that had been set up by the hotel in the banquet hall where they’d had Derek’s birthday party last night. It was the only place that could contain the large family consisting of Rachel’s folks, Jonah and his family, and Uncle Alfred. Diane and the other guests had checked out of the hotel earlier after having breakfast in their rooms.This late breakfast was for family only and that included Elaine who was sitting beside Zoe and making sure the toddler was cared for while the adults joked and chatted playfully.“I am so happy for you two,” said Rosem
One month later, Rachel walked down the aisle created in front of Alfred’s gloriously beautiful flower garden, holding a bouquet of white irises that looked like a cluster of clouds over green stems. Her ivory Vera Wang wedding dress was an off-shoulder creation that featured lots of tulles, crystals, and a full skirt that made her look like a Disney princess. Rob struggled not to cry as he walked his little sister down the aisle in his spotless three-piece suit.“I almost can’t believe this is happening,” Rachel whispered excitedly to him.“It’s happening, darling,” he replied in a whisper too. “Your fairy tale happy ending is finally happening and I cannot even begin to tell you just how happy I am for you.”“You’ve told me a gazillion times already and that’s enough,” she said with a chuckle.When they reached where Derek was waiting in front of the minister, Rob hugged his sister tightly and whispered, “I love you.”“I love you more,” Rachel whispered back with misty eyes.After R
“There you are!” She exclaimed when she found him standing by the pool, staring off into the distance. “Are you ok?”“Yes,” he said and smiled at her. “I have never felt this much peace in my life.”“Aww, I’m glad you feel that way,” she said, embracing him.“Come on, let’s go inside and see what Elaine and Zoe are up to. The island manager will be sending in our private chef later today. In the meantime, I’m sure we can make do with whatever is in the kitchen for now.”“I don’t think anyone is hungry yet. This place is too good for you to think about eating.”“Zoe may not agree with you,” he said with a grin. “My daughter is a certified foodie.”“She got it from her momma,” said Rachel.“I’m not going to argue with that,” said Derek and he received an elbow jab in the ribs from his wife.They found Zoe and her nanny in the cinema room watching Moana. Derek and Rachel were immediately captivated by the exciting animation movie, and they too sat down to watch it. When it was over, they